In the busy city streets, amid the noise of honking vehicles and the ceaseless flow of traffic, a familiar sight emerges – the construction of yet another flyover. Despite the abundance of evidence available both locally and globally indicating their limited efficacy in mitigating traffic congestion, flyovers continue to be constructed in cities worldwide, with the promise of reducing congestion for decades to come.
This article seeks to delve into this persisting issue from the points of view of the triad of Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar and calls for a reevaluation of our approach to urban planning and development.
Samaaj (Society):
At the heart of this phenomenon lie societal attitudes, particularly those of car-dependent individuals who persistently demand more space to drive and park freely. They consistently believe and put forth their intuitive opinions over empirical evidence. They maintain the conviction that wider roads, flyovers and free on-road parking will be the ultimate solution for congestion woes.
They are reluctant to relinquish and wish to perpetuate their convenience and privilege of owning and using a car. Personal opinions and anecdotal examples are often cited to support their belief in the usefulness of flyovers. They also mention the construction of flyovers in bigger cities as further proof of this claim. They perceive flyovers not only as symbols of development and progress but also as solutions to the perceived limitations of narrow city streets while at the same time resisting alternative modes of transport like cycling and buses citing personal inconvenience and lack of resources.
Some would also mention the failure of cycling infrastructure in some other cities as proof of their efficacy while at the same time ignoring the failure of flyovers to contain congestion in their city. They equate physical structure as signs of development without understanding if these are responsible for their well-being or not.
Sarkaar (Government):
Equally significant are the dynamics within governmental decisions, where short-term political gains often overshadow long-term planning imperatives. Politicians are driven by the desire to leave behind lasting legacies, often prioritizing visible projects that yield immediate visibility and public acclaim.
The negative impacts of flyovers are not immediately noticeable and the positive impact of public transportation and non-motorized transport (walking & cycling) facilities are challenging to communicate effectively to the populace. Decision-makers are often apprehensive about unpopular actions and feel compelled to fulfil pre-election promises, facing pressure from influential lobbies such as the automobile industry and affluent car owners – many of whom are car-dependent officials within the government itself.
Furthermore, these people with their chauffeur-driven vehicles are not affected by the inconvenience of driving on congested streets travelling in inefficient buses or walking on non-existent/ very badly designed footpaths. Their power and control over the state’s finances disconnects them from the problems of the masses and at the same time approves projects that enhance their mobility.
Bazaar (Market):
The relentless pursuit of profit among the big companies continues the cycle of infrastructure development like flyovers, wider streets, etc, regardless of its social and environmental costs. For corporations involved in the automotive and construction sectors, concerns about congestion, pollution, and road safety are secondary to their important need to maximize shareholder returns. The narrative spread by these industries, emphasizes their supposed contributions to national GDP and serves to deflect attention from the negative externalities of their operations.
The automobile industry has succeeded in establishing a positive narrative around its contributions to the nation’s GDP, diverting attention from the adverse impacts of increased car usage on pollution, congestion and road safety. Industries like cement, iron, and steel exert significant pressure on governments to enact policies favouring their profit margins, further perpetuating the construction of flyovers. Consequently, policymakers find themselves ensnared in a web of competing interests, indebted to economic compulsions at the expense of broader societal well-being.
Moving Forward:
In confronting this confluence of societal, governmental, and market pressures, everyone must understand modern urban planning and development concepts. They must understand the importance of and embrace public transportation and active mobility. Government decisions should be grounded in data and evidence, rather than being swayed by opinions or vested interests. Embracing principles of sustainability and equity, the government must prioritize the needs of the greatest numbers, rather than catering to the demands of a privileged few.
This necessitates a paradigm shift towards participatory decision-making processes, engaging diverse stakeholders – including the public, experts, civil society organizations, and local businesses – in a collaborative effort to shape the future of our cities. Efforts also should be made to preserve the unique identity of each city. The big corporations need to align their priorities towards sustainable and environmental practices.
The increase in flyovers in our cities is an example of the dangers of shortsighted decision-making and the enduring influence of vested interests. Yet, within this challenge is an opportunity – an opportunity to redefine our priorities, to reimagine our cities, and to build a future that is truly sustainable and inclusive.
It is a call to action that demands nothing less than our collective commitment to a vision of urban development that prioritizes people over profit and sustainability over expediency. Only then can we truly claim to have built cities that are worthy of future generations?
The author is a Sustainable Urban Transportation, Road Safety and Climate Action Advocate and the Co-Founder – Pedal for a Change. Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the views of EastMojo.